2K9 Preview From GCHD

[Savoie06]

http://gamecinemahd.com/article/2008/08/12/nhl_2k9_preview

[b-Dub]

I liked that preview. Very detailed.

[Savoie06]

Yeah,best one I've seen yet.I will definately be renting this one.

[Grandmaster D]

"Pro Stick Evolution is no doubt my favorite and the closest to the competition if you’re interested in that. This allows you to shoot and puck handle using the right analog stick only."
Didn't they say, last years controls are in the game, too? Or are those named Hybrid now? I'd like to stick handle with the right stick and shoot with RB - I like 2K8s controls.

And the Reel Maker doesn't sound like the feature decribed by Bish on Gamespot (with upload to the web to your league sites like in NBA 2K9) but like last years.
The CAT has no improvement, there's no 2Kshare, there are obvious collision detection problems (look at the vid) - other than that, it sounds quiet good.

[CellFish]

I second that, I want 2k8's controls back. One of the reasons I don't like EA's game as much as 2k's is because of the fact that pressing up shoots. It basically makes for lots of missed opportunities caused by unintended shots. I hope to God that 2k8's controls are still available.

[CellFish]

I just want to add a couple of videos from that preview. The checking one is of particular interest:

http://gamecinemahd.com/game/Xbox360/nhl_2k9~t=3&a=18576 (checking)
http://gamecinemahd.com/game/Xbox360/nhl_2k9~t=3&a=18577 (intros)

[FSOTG]

Wow! Really nice thank you.

[gohabs93]

noooo I dont want to shoo with right analog stick. It sucks when scoring down.

[MapleLeaf16]

These intro's look really nice. 10 times better than last years.

[Rei]

These new checking animations were long overdue and thankfully they look pretty great.

I went to a bunch of Sabres games last year and they use that neat project video onto ice effect. That's an incredibly realistic (and cool) team intro in 2k9.

[Savoie06]

noooo I dont want to shoo with right analog stick. It sucks when scoring down.
Well,hopefully 2K is nice like EA was and offer the option to have the shooting always up.

[RoadDoggFL]

2K's had the option since I can remember. I don't like to turn it on since it seems cheap (think of it as home ice advantage to shoot up twice for 2/3 of the game), and you wouldn't be able to do it if you had a friend over to play.

[Price]

My only problem with the intros where theres actually real video footage being shown on the ice before each game is that if there is a guy on my team in franchise mode who is in those videos and I end up trading him I don't want to keep seeing a set video before every game showing highlights of a player who's not on my team anymore. Small problem, but hopefully they will give you the option of turning it off if you want to.

[navarz]

Hey guys, this is Ronnie...the writer of the article from GCHD. I don't usually do this, but I wanted to clarify some of the control settings for you because it seems like my article was a bit confusing in that regard. I'm just going to list each control option, and what buttons do what..sound good?

Here is a list of each button, and all of the commands mapped to it for every aspect of the game (offense, defense, etc.)

Classic:
RT = Speed Burst(offense, defense)Balance Right (fighting),
LT = Backwards Skate (Offense, Defense), Balance Left (fighting)
X = Slap Shot, Wrist Shot (Offense), Check, Slash (Defense), Jostle (Faceoff)
A = Pass, Saucer Pass (Offense), Change Player (Defense), Take Faceof (Faceoff)
B = Slap Dump, Wrist Dump (Offense), Poke Check (Defense), Tie-up Swipe (Faceoff)
Y = Fake Shot (Offense), Hook, Hold (Defense),
RB = Stick Handle (Offense), Stick Sweep (Defense)
LB = Special Moves Modifier (Offense), Block Shot (Defense)
LS = Move Player
RS = Stick To Ice (Defense...Press To Use)

Hybrid:
RT = Speed Burst (Offense, Defense), Balance Right (Fighting)
LT = Backwards Skate (Offense, Defense), Balance Left (Fighting)
X = Wrist Shot, Slap Shot, Loose Shot (Offense), Jostle (Faceoff)
A = Pass, Saucer Pass (Offense),Change Player (Defense), Take Faceoff (Faceoff), Weak Punch (Fighting)
B = Wrist Dump, Slap Dump (Offense), Check (Defense), Tie-up Swipe(Faceoff), Strong Punch (Fighting)
Y = Fake Shot (Offense), Poke Check (Defense)
RB = Slap Dump, Wrist Dump (Offense...same as B Button), Hook, Hold (Defense)
LB = Special Move Modifier (Offense), Block Shot (Defense)
LS = Move Player
RS = Pro Stick Evolution (Offense), Swipe Puck (Faceoff), Stick to Ice (Defense...Press to Use)

Pro Stick Evolution:
RT = Pass, Saucer Pass (Offense), Change Player (Defense), Set Faceoff(Faceoff), Balance Right (Fighting)
LT = Backwards Skate (Offense, Defense), Balance Left (Fight), Jostle (Faceoff)
X = Hook, Hold (Defense)
A = Speed Burst (Offense, Defense), Weak Punch (Fighting)
B = Strong Punch (Fighting)
Y = Nothing (Unless you count goalie controls...which aren't included here)
RB = Slap Dump,Wrist Dump (Offense), Check (Defense), Tie-up Swipe (Faceoff)
LB = Special Moves Modifier (Offense), Block Shot (Defense)
LS = Move Player, Various Directions Can Change Superstar Move When Activated)
RS = Pro Stick Evolution (Offense), Stick to Ice (Defense...Press to Use), Swipe Puck, Pull Back (Faceoff), Direction Changes Superstar Move When Activated.

I hope this helps guys. Also, I don't usually have a lot of time to check the forums, so don't think I'm ignoring you if you leave me a message or anything. I'll try and check in occasionally to see what's going on.

Lastly, almost forgot. We are currently building a new flash player for our site, because as it is only people will upper-echelon computers seem to be able to run our videos perfectly. Sorry for the inconvenience guys. Later


Pro Stick Evolution means you can stickhandle and shoot by using the RS. This applies for both the Hybrid and Pro Stick Evolution controller settings. It should be noted that you can use the RS to shoot in Hybrid...or use the X button.

[CellFish]

Well, that just sealed the deal for me : I am going to go ahead and get NHL 09. The one thing tying me to 2K was the Pro Stick as introduced in 2K8. Removing it entirely is a gigantic mistake because it basically tells anyone who bought 2k8 that they're a fool for doing so.

[Grandmaster D]

thanks for the list, navarz.
All the time arguing about the advantages of 2K8s Pro Stick: Wasted.
Your currying favour is understandable, but why not making it an option? Feels like a stab in the back.

put off sim orientated people through marketing campaign - check.
put off fans of 2K8 - check.

[Rei]

Thanks navarz. I was a little confused as to what the controls would be like this year. I honestly had no problem with the controls in 2k8, it took maybe one game to get used to them and then a few more to master them. Learning curve of 1 hour = a few thousand lazy idiots complain.

Now that i mention it.. i remember that you could put the controls on classic or a few other settings in 2k8... what the hell was with all the complaining about the controls?

[SaintPatrick33]

Hi Guys,
I asked Ronnie Hobbs at GCHD 2 more questions about graphics after his original preview and he was nice enough to update it if your interested in question #36 Player/goalie models , Arenas and Crowds graphics and #37 was about new goalie mask options which sound great if your a goalie. Theres good and bad but gameplay sounds solid as he cant stop playing the game ! Thanks again Ronnie Hobbs:dance:

[agentq_71]

I am extremely disappointed that there is no option to use last year's control scheme, which I felt was absolutely perfect. When I played the NHL08 demo last year, I absolutely despised the shooting on the stick. I was constantly shooting when I didn't want to and not shooting when I did want to.

I have no problem with them creating a new control scheme to try, but why not give people the option to use last year's scheme? It doesn't make any sense.

So if the right stick is both shooting and stickhandling, how the heck do you stickhandle in all directions? Also, how do you aim your shot in a different direction than you're skating?